Impact wrench opinions?

[ChrisinMO]

I need to get an impact wrench. I was thinking of going with an Ingersol-Rand. It is about 3X as expensive as the other brands. Should I go with the expensive one or the cheapies? How much difference is there in durability?

Thanks for you opinions.

Christopher

 

[CJ3b_jeep]

I have a craftsman, but only use it once in a while. Works well for my use.

 

[edj856]

A lot of guys at work have the IR Titanium's. They are probably the lightest and smallest ones you can get and they put a lot of torque. I have a Craftsman copy of an IR that I bought for $10 used from the Snap On man. I've used for 3 years with no complaints and will pick up the Craftsman over my Snap On.

 

[cj in wisconsin]

Get the good IR model, I have used all kinds in thirty plus years as a full time mechanic, SnapOn is junk as are most of the foreign makes. You won't regret spending the extra money!

 

[Dave BN]

I have an IR that is about 10 years old and I still love it. Dave

 

[woody73]

Hi Christopher, I like my Chicago Pneumatic they have given me good service over the years. I think that IR is made in china but I'm not sure? I am guessing that CP is also made in china.All the best Woody.

 

[MSJ from MN]

Ingersols are probably the best guns.

 

[old]

I have one of the heavy duty ones from Wal-mart and it has worked just fine for the past 10 plus years. I had one of there light duty ones but it only lasted about 5 years. Any more it seems no matter where you buy or what brand it is they are still pretty much the same and most work ok for a long time as long as you keep them oiled like you should

 

[glennster]

i have a couple 1/2 guns. the last one i bough was a snap on. right about 400 dollars. this is one bad boy impact. 1000 lbs of break out force. it puts my 3/4 drive impact to shame. you do need to wear ear protection with this gun, it is LOUD !! here is a pic
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[bc]

I use my HF electric one. Easier to pull out an extension cord than drag the compressor around when I want to change tires or get that stuck mower blade bolt off or those stuck bolts on the tractor. I bought it to use for screwing down roofing and siding metal using those drillable screws. I use it a few times a year.

But then typical of many posters and no offense, you didn't tell us what you are using it for and how rich you are which makes all the difference. If you own a tire shop or are the front tire changer for Dale Earnhardt Jr. then get the best otherwise if it is parttime use and baby needs a new pair of shoes ...

And if you are Junior's front tire changer, you might be out of a job this week.

 

[Dave 2N]

I-R has the best guns by far. Cost more today but greater value when you are still using it years from now. Great servicenters and parts back up.

Some Craftsman, MAC, Snap-ON and Bluepoint models have in the past been made by I-R.

 

[J.C.in AZ.]

My Chicago Pneumatic 1/2" Air is at least 25 years old and still working,USA made,my Dewalt Electric 1/2" is about 10-12 years old and still functions well,don't know where it is made,maybe USA. both good DIY Impact tools.

 

[Don-Wi]

Dad's got a Chicago Pneumatic on the farm that's probably a few years older than yours from his days as a JD tech. Still works great for us. Oil it about everytime I grab it off the shelf and it's been very reliable. I see them at the pawn shops once in a while, tempted to buy one for myself some time.

Donovan from Wisconsin

 

[GREGinMO]

Yep, Glennster, I just bought that same snap on gun...its an animal. Zips head bolts right off an N14 cummins. Best 400 I"ve spent lately.

 

[trucker40]

I like Chicago Pneumatic.When I used one every day thats what I had,after it finally wore out I got an Ingersol Rand back in about 1990.It still works.I bought a new one about 4 years ago from Orschelns whatever their high priced one was at the time.I like it because it has rubber made into the handle so it doesnt freeze your hand when its real cold.They work better and last longer if you oil them every day.Most of them are a copy of a CP or Ingersol.There are others that have lots of power but didnt seem to last as long.That may have changed now.I knew a mechanic that bought one from Snap On and the bearings wore out after a couple of years.It had lots of power but it didnt take the strain of all that power.Dont know what they have now.

 

[504-2]

IR 231 with an extended anvil for all around work,I also have a IR 600 ft lb. that will twist off a 3/4 bolt in a heart beat.

 

[Gary from Va]

Ingersoll Rand. Period. I'm a heavy equipment and truck mechanic in Bealeton, Va. Every impact I own, from my 1/4" air ratchet up to my 1" gun is Ingersoll, and I've never been let down by them. Just stay away from the composite guns. They don't hold up to constant work. The IR 231C is the best 1/2" gun ever built, period. The 244 is a stronger gun, but it will wear out quicker. The 231C will max out at about 500 ft. lbs in reverse. Just make sure you feed them plenty of air.

 

[msb]

Ingersol Rand cordless is the way to go. 350 ft. lbs .of torque. Got one for Xmas and I can't say enough about it.

 

[toolz]

I've been a tool distributor for 20 years, and there is NOTHING on the market that compares to the high-end Ingersols. Stone reliable, unmatched power, relatively quiet, 2 year warranty, super easy to work on, light weight. I just traded-in one of those fancy new red Snap-ons last week. Customer had it 2 weeks. "It just don't have the power like those Ingersols". Heh heh I knew that- he does now. Expensive lesson. Buy the good one once- you won't regret it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

IR no need to say more.

 

[Anonymous-0]

IR. The cheap guns do not put out more than 3-400 lbs. Honestly that is not better than a 24" breaker bar. Had a cheap one and it did not get used much. Got a IR titanium and WORLD of difference. I see no point in owning a sub 400ft. lbs gun. Electric and cordless are JOKES if you want to bust rusted or heavy fasteners. Harbor Freight has a "earthquake" impact gun that is of high quality and power for not too much money. An impact is not something you can skimp on. I tried and it was a waste.

 

[Hobo,NC]

For the DIY'er a IR 231 (around $100) will make a good choice,,,, Lowe's use to have then with a nice 3/8 air ratchet for around $125.

If you use one daily I would go with a IR 2135TiMAX

All of'em are made in China are the parts are outsourced from China and assembled in the USA,,, even a snap off,,, Snap-OFF never made a good air tool till they outsourced them from China

 

[Stan(PA)]

I went with the Chicago Pneumatic one from Harbor Freight, mainly 'cause I'm cheap. It's called "Earthquake", and it ran $79. I can't complain, because it's taken off some big, heavily rusted nuts, that I couldn't budge with a wrech and a small sledge....

 

[markct]

"Electric and cordless are JOKES if you want to bust rusted or heavy fasteners"

i dissagree with that statement, while some are just weak noisy things that rattle a socket, there are some on the market that are true proffesional grade electric impacts. when i have a realy stuck fastener bigger than 5/8 or so or when i have to take a semi truck or equipment tire off the first thing i reach for is my ingersoll rand 1 inch drive electric impact. its got as much torque as our cp 1 inch air impact at work, actualy a bit more since we have occasionaly used the electric one on fasteners the air one wouldnt break free. the part that makes it a favorite of mine is that i can plug it in anywheres i got a 110 outlet. at home i dont have a very big compressor so a 1 inch air impact was outa the question, but an electric does the job perfect with just an extension cord. they are not cheap tho, last i saw they were in the 1600 dollar range, but used on ebay they are more resonable